LOS ANGELES — The rising cost of groceries is taking a toll on hundreds of thousands of families across LA County, especially during the holiday season. Many are turning to food pantries to find their next meal.

But inflation is hitting families who were already experiencing food insecurity a lot harder. Food insecure families often have trouble eating healthy or finding consistent access to food, according to health officials.

Based on a recent report from LA County’s Department of Public Health, the pandemic has had a major impact on food insecurity in our region.

Pantries like the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry in Studio City are providing much-needed help this holiday season. They host food distribution drives every Monday and Friday morning, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Recipients just have to give their name to the pantry’s volunteers and pick up their bag of groceries or pre-packaged meals.

The pantry also offers pet food and personal hygiene supplies, something that many unhoused recipients appreciate.

The pantry’s distribution director, Phillip Lester, has also worked out a partnership with DoorDash, a food delivery app. Once or twice a week, DoorDash drivers will pick up several bags of food and drop it off at various schools, shelters or community centers for families that can’t make it out to the pantry.

Next year, the pantry will be able to help even more people as they expand into a bigger space. Their new location is three times the size of their current office and has something they’ve always needed: refrigerators.

But the pantry is also asking for more donations to meet their growing demand.

It’s the only way they can keep helping their regular recipients, including Steven Flowers, who lives in his RV around the corner and depends on the pantry for his next meal. Six months ago, Steven’s business hit a snag, and he fell on hard times.

“They’re here like clockwork and that makes my routine stay in focus,” Flowers said.

Flowers comes for the food and stocks up on the hygiene supplies. He also comes for the conversation with the pantry’s volunteers, who he says are the nicest people. He hopes to one day return the favor to others by volunteering at the pantry himself.

For more information, visit the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry’s website www.nhifp.org.